Richard Wagner - 'Tristan and Isolde' (Birgit Nilsson)

dll927

New member
Why are opera buffs always pining for the days of those who are gone? Caruso was "the greatest" tenor, as Paganini was "the greatest" violinist. How does anybody know? Oh yes, Toscanini was "the greatest" conductor.

I remember some years ago, RCA Victor came out with a whole slew of recordings by Toscanini. Now mind you, he died in 1957, when even stereo, much less digital, was just coming onto the scene. Are we to believe that those recordings can compete with much later soundings? The only purpose I could see to all those Toscanini recordings was the effect on RCA Victor's bottom line.

They complain that classical recordings are now only a small portion of recordings sold. Well, no surprise. When CDs came on the scene, every record company in existence started "re-mastering" and re-issuing older recordings. Before long, there were about 90 Beethoven 9ths, 57 Tchaikovsky 1sts (piano concerto) and 49 Beethoven onlys (violin concerto) around. Since CDs are much less vulnerable to time than vinyl records were, this was sheer overkill.

Eventually, everything (and everyone) has to be allowed to rest in peace. There must be people around now who can compete with all the worshiped old-timers.
 
Robert Newman

Robert Newman

Banned
Yes, there simply must be. Would you care to let us know when you finally find them ? They'd be great to hear.:) Another sopranoist and another orchestra like this one ? Can't wait to celebrate your shared discovery !!!

Regards
 
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Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Aloha dll927,

The really talented and professional artisans of vocal art like Birgit Nilsson simply do not grow on trees. If you ever have been in the presence of greatness but yet simple down-on-the-farm humility like Maestra Nilsson. Somewhat recently I made a trip to visit her gravesite at Östra Karups Church in the southern Swedish province of Skåne. It is not an ostentatious setting but a humble and peaceful place - Here's a photo link:

http://bjareharad.homestead.com/files/Birgits_grav.jpg

VECHNAYA PAMYAT! May her memory be Eternal.
 

dll927

New member
I'm well aware that there are those who claim there is no instrument like the human voice, but I've never been an opera fan. But the same idea applies to other artists as well. Heifitz may have been the "violinist of the century" (TIME magazine), but he's dead. Nobody is going to hear him any more except on recordings, which many say will never be really quite the same as actually hearing such an artist in person.

When "high fidelity" came along in the 1950's, organ music suddenly became the acid test of everything from microphones to amplifying systems, and God forbid speakers that couldn't handle organ. But it still wasn't the real thing.

True enough, some of the saints were great performers, and it may be debatable whether or not their are equals around at the present time. But the fact remains, we can't bring them back.
 
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